One month after more than 500 residents met to discuss the sale of public properties for the development of a mega-mall in central DeKalb County, citizens have joined together to form the "StandUp DeKalb" coalition.

The organization aims to give a voice to the concerns of those who live and commute through the area of North Druid Hills and Briarcliff roads, said StandUp DeKalb President Jim Smith.

"We have one objective in mind - defeat the proposal now put forth by the Sembler Company for North Druid Hills and Briarcliff roads," Smith said. "It just isn't appropriate for this residential area andwill sorely impact traffic and existing local shopping malls that are struggling to stay in business."

StandUp DeKalb's first goal will be to keep public assets at this site from being sold to private developers, such as property owned by the DeKalb County Board of Education, including Adams Stadium. A StandUp DeKalb website also has been launched at www.StandUpDeKalb.org

"We demand that the DeKalb school board pay attention to the taxpayers of this county," Smith said. "It makes no sense to even consider selling school property in a community with a growing school-age population like central DeKalb, where almost every school has trailers."

He added: "That land is an incredibly unique asset. It will be impossible to replace in years to come. The school board needs to wake up and realize what a costly mistake it could be making."

Those who wish more information or are interested in joining StandUp DeKalb or ordering a StandUp DeKalb yard sign, should go to the website, www.StandUpDeKalb.org.